Democrat Philip Levine brought his campaign for governor to the political base of two primary opponents Tuesday and promised a statewide referendum on gun control, if he wins next November and Florida legislators continue to reject a ban on assault weapons.

The former Miami Beach mayor also said during a Capital Tiger Bay Club luncheon speech that he would be a “cheerleader” for state employees, who have not fared well under Republican Gov. Rick Scott and the GOP-led state Legislature. Levine said the basic difference between his and Scott’s approach to economic stimulus is that Republicans believe cutting taxes and government regulation attracts jobs and new investment, while he and other Democrats believe improving education and paying employees well is best for the economy.

“I believe that our state workers ought to be compensated as they would be in the private sector,” he said. The recently released Department of Management Services’ Annual Workforce Report indicated that the average Career Service employee in state government earned $35,710 last year – compared to an average salary of $47,060 for all industries in Florida, public and private, in 2016.

City Commissioner Curtis Richardson listens to former Miami Beach Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine speak at Tuesday's meeting of the Tiger Bay Club at the Tucker Civic Center.(Photo: Hali Tauxe/Democrat)

City Commissioner Curtis Richardson told the candidate Tallahassee gets a bad rap as a symbol of what Floridians don’t like about state government. Levine replied, “You will have no better, greater cheerleader for the city of Tallahassee than me."

Levine faces two Tallahasseeans – Mayor Andrew Gillum and former Congresswoman Gwen Graham – as well as Orlando businessman Chris King in the Democratic primary. He has spent heavily on TV advertising, emphasizing the gun-control issue following the Feb. 14 murders of 17 people at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

The Legislature responded by raising the age for buying weapons to 21, requiring a three-day waiting period for gun purchases, banning “bump stock” devices that simulate automatic fire and putting up $400 million for mental health programs and school security. But lawmakers rejected attempts to ban military-style rifles.

The Constitution Revision Commission has also refused to put that idea on the ballot. So Levine said gun control would be his first priority as governor.

“No. 1, I’m going to do everything in my power to ban assault rifles in the state of Florida,” Levine said, “and those people who have mental health issues will not be allowed to buy a gun in the state of Florida.

“If that doesn’t happen … I’m going to go right to the people of Florida and I’m going to make sure we have a referendum,” he continued, “and that referendum is going to say, ‘No. 1, do you want to ban assault rifles in Florida? And No. 2, if we can’t get Tallahassee to do what we need them to do, would you like the local governments in Florida to have the right and ability to regulate gun safety and policy.’”

Buy Photo

Former Mimi Beach Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine speaks at Tuesday's meeting of the Tiger Bay Club at the Tucker Civic Center.(Photo: Hali Tauxe/Democrat)

State law currently pre-empts firearms regulation to the state level, forbidding city and county officials to make gun laws.

Marion Hammer, former president of the National Rifle Association and a long-time lobbyist in Tallahassee, said Levine’s pledge is a politically risky strategy in Florida. The Republican contenders for governor strongly oppose gun-control measures.

“I don’t think it’s smart for any politician to tell people they want to take away their right to protect themselves and their families,” said Hammer, whose organization is suing in federal court to block enforcement of the restrictions Scott signed into law after Parkland.

Scott concentrated on job creation to win the office eight years ago and has championed tax cuts year after year. Levine, born in Boston, said Massachusetts has high taxes and wages, but does well in recruiting new businesses because of its education system and “a culture of excellence.” He said many large corporations and tech businesses are more interested in a good workforce than tax incentives.

“They’ve learned that if you take care of your people, your people will take care of you and your organization will prosper,” he said. “The governor and I disagree on many things. The governor feels that if you have low wages, low taxes and great weather, wow, all these companies are going to beat your door down and come here.

With Democrats expected to make gains in Congress in President Trump’s first mid-term elections, Levine said Florida will be politically pivotal.

“This election this year in Florida is the most important election in the world,” he said, “because as Florida goes, so goes the presidency in 2020.”

Buy Photo

Former Mimi Beach Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine speaks at Tuesday's meeting of the Tiger Bay Club at the Tucker Civic Center.(Photo: Hali Tauxe/Democrat)